Barton Peveril Sixth Form College Remember the Holocaust

Barton Peveril Sixth Form College welcomed Holocaust survivor William M Bergman, who shared his testimony with students from across the College including those who study History, Politics, Philosophy, Religious Studies and Sociology.

After hearing his testimony, students took part in a question and answer session with Bergman before attending three seminars run by members of the Holocaust Educational Trust. The seminars focused on ‘Pre-war Jewish life,’ ‘Victims, Perpetrators, Rescuers’ and ‘Impact and Aftermath.’

Former Brookfield Community School pupil Alexandra Marsh and former Cams Hill School pupil Elisabeth Luckett recently participated in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project run by the Holocaust Educational Trust, where they attended a series of seminars, met another Holocaust survivor named Zigi Shipper, and visited Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Speaking on the project and Bergman’s visit, Elisabeth Luckett said:

“It’s people like Zigi, William, and all survivors that are keeping the testimonies present, as well as inspiring young people to educate not only themselves but their peers.”

During his testimony, Bergman spoke of the importance of passing on the lessons learned from the Holocaust to future generations and left students with a hopeful message: “If you have life of any kind then you have hope, and that is all we had.”

Speaking on the day, Barton Peveril’s Subject Leader for Religious Studies and Philosophy said:

“It was important for students to hear this talk, as we are at a time of rising division in our society. To hear and understand where division, fear and hatred can lead to can only help us to broaden our minds and steel ourselves to stand up to those who would seek to discriminate and limit our freedoms.”